Thread treating apparatus



THREAD TREATING APPARATUS riginal Filed Feb. 1, las@ 2 Sheets-She'l'. 1

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THREAD-T REATING APPARATUS Original Filed Feb. 1, 1936 nventors WALTER E KNEBuscH a ALDEN H. BURKHOLDER Gttorneg Patented `iuly 1, 1941 THREAD TREATIING APPARATUS Walter F. Knebusch, Rocky River, and AldenJ iii.

Burkholder, Cleveland, Uhio, assignors to In- -l dustrial Rayon Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Delaware Original application February 1,1936, Serial No.

Divided and this application February j2, 1939, ySerial N0. 254,244

6 Claims. (Cl. 311-122) This invention relates to apparatus for the continuous treatment of iilaments, thread, ribbons, bands, tapes or like materials, hereinafter referred to as thread More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus comprising a housing substantially completely enclosing a device for continuously but temporarily storing thread being subjected to a processing operation such, for example, as drying. The invention provides a thread-advancing thread store device of cantilever form; e. g., a thread-advancing reel, which advances the thread toward the unsupported end thereof in a plurality of closely spaced, generally helical turns, together with a chamber including a closure adapted to expose the interior of the chamber to provide access to the thread-advancing thread store device. The invention thus provides a particularly eflcient apparatus for conserving the treating medium without sacrificing accessibility to the thread-storage, thread-advancin device enclosed in the chamber. i

By way of illustration, but in no sense of limitation, the invention will be described in connection with the continuous processing of articial silk thread on apparatus of a type generally similar to that shown, described and claimed in a prior application for patent entitled Manufacture of artiflcial sil Serial No. 7,114, led February 18, 1935, by Walter F. Knebusch and Alden H. Burkholder. In the present application, as in said prior application, the apparatus shown comprises a plurality of thread-advancing thread store devices disposed in processing sequence. Liquid processing treatments are applied to the thread on certain oi' the earlier thread-advancing thread s tore devices, after which the thread is continuously dried by apparatus embodying the present invention.

This application is a division of copending applioation Serial No. 61,956, filed February 1, 1936.

In the drawings. lFigure 1 is a sectional elevation from line l-I of Figure 2 of a portion of an apparatus for the continuous processing of thread, such apparatus embodying the features of .the present invention. Figure 2 is a front elevation of a portion of said continuous processing apparatus. Figure 3 is a sectional elevationiof a portion of such apparatus showing on an enlarged scale one embodiment of the invention as 'employed in the drying of thread, the section being taken along lines 3 3 of Figures 2 and 5. Figure 4 is a plan on the same scale of the apparatus of Figure-3, showing in broken lines the closure as it appears when the chamber is opened.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the apparatus of Figures 3 and 4, part of the closure being broken away to show the thread-advancing thread store device.

In the apparatus illustrated in Figures l and 2, thread A from a suitable source, such as a preceding thread-advancing thread store device, proceeds in sequence to each of a series of threadadvancing thread store devices I, 2, 3 and li. The thread-advancing thread store devices shown are of cantilever form; i. e., supported and driven from one end only, each serving to advance the thread toward the unsupported end thereof in a large number of closely spaced, generally helical turns. They are preferably disposed in stepped arrangement with the discharge end of each device in apposition to the receiving end of the succeeding device. Thread-advancing thread store devices l, 2 and the preceding devices may be devoted to the wet processing of the thread, while thread-advancing thread store device 3 may constitute a drip stage. Thread-advancing thread store device Il forming part of so much of the apparatus as embodies the present invention, is devoted to drying of the thread.

As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus as a Whole comprises a plurality of adjacent` descending series of thread-advancing thread store devices each of which series handles a single thread.

The thread-advancing thread store devices may, if desired, operate on the principle of the thread-advancing lreel illustrated in Figures 3 and 5. Such reel comprises two rigid, generally cylindrical members 6 and 1 the peripheries of which are respectively made up ofbar members 9 and lll. Member 6, which may be termed the concentric member, is mounted concentrically upon and for rotation with drive shaft B. Member l, which may be termed the eccentric member, is rotatably mounted with its axis slightly oiset from and inclined to that of the concentric member 6. Bar members il) of concentric member -l, which bar members are disposed alternately with bar members 9 of concentric member G, are reinforced at their outer ends by -annular member it.

Eccentric member l constitutes part of a generally cylindrical cake-like member H mounted, as by bolts I3, on annular supporting member l2. Annular supporting member l2 is rotatably supported in oiiset and inclined relation, preferably in the skew relation shown, to the axis of concentric member 6. To that end, annular supporting member l2 is mounted on frame member I5, the shaft ii being journalled in or otherwise supported in the desired relationship to frame member i5. A bushing |6 may, if desired, be provided in annular supporting member i2' to act Ias a bearing.

The reel of Figures 3 and 5 is particularly adapted to theapplication to the thread stored on the reel of a processing medium; e. g., a drying fluid, from the interior of the reel. In the embodiment of the invention, illustrated .in the drawings, the means for accomplishing this functioncomprises a hollow drive shaft 6 communicating through ports I1 with a chamber it in the 'body portion ofconcentric member 6. plurality of holes i9, which may conveniently be spaced between the bar members 9 of' concentric member t, provide communication between the chamber I8 and the periphery of the reel. Plug bolt 2U, which is shown as closing the end of hollow shaft 8, also holds concentric member t against the pin 2| in shaft 3. Pin 2| serves to locate member 6 longitudinally of the shaft and also drives member 6, since the projecting ends of pin 2| are positioned in a slot 22 in member 6,

Sealing means 23 may be provided, if desired, to prevent the escape of the processing or drying mediumpast shaft 8. To prevent the entrance of extraneous substances into that portion of the reel mechanism at the junction of concentric member 6 and eccentric member 1 and to prevent the escape of lubricants which might contaminate the thread on the reel. sealing means 24 are provided. Sealing means 24 preferably take the form of a exible sleeve of bellows construction, the latter type of construction being desirable in view of the occurrence of a limited relative `movement between the parts on which such sleeve' to transfer from the bar members of one generally cylindrical member to the bar members of the other generally cylindrical member. At the same time, the inclined relationship of said generally cylindrical members causes the thread to advance in a plurality of spaced, generally helical turns to the unsupported end. Reels of the type illustrated in this application are shown, de-

scribed and claimed in copendine' application- Serial No. 61,954, filed February 1, 1936. l

In the illustrated apparatus, processing liquid is showered down on the threadstored on each of reels and 2, as well as on certain of the reels prior thereto. from suitably positioned reagent distributors 33 supplied by pipes 34 extending longitudinally of the apparatus and serving all corresponding reels'in the same horizontal series. The processing liouid is collected in troughs 35 of suitable design likewise extending longitudinally of the apparatus and serving corresponding reels in the same horizontal series, 'Ihe liquid so collected may be passed to the sewer, particularly if it is one which cannot to advantage be re-used, or, if desi-red. recirculated by suitable means through pipe 34.

As previously mentioned, it is desirable in continuous processing `apparatus to provide a drip stage after the last of the liquid processing stages. Thus in the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and2, the last of the various processing liquids to be applied; i. e.. wash water, may be showered onto the thread on reel 2, in which case reel 3 may constitute a drip stage; that is to say, a stage in which no processing liquid is applied to the thread but on which the liquid carried over from the preceding stage is allowed to drip oi into the collecting trough 35. A very substantial portion of the excess moisture may be removed in this manner before the thread is subjected to the drying operation on reel 4. A large saving can thus be eiected in the amount of drying medium used and a less intense drying treatment is necessary, since much less moisture remains to be removed from the thread.

In the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2, the thread is dried on a reel of the type shown in Figures 3 and 5. Drying medium is applied to the thread from the interior of the reel through the hollow drive shaft 8. To aid in the drying of the thread by intensifying the use of the drying medium', to reduce the amount of drying medium required,

n and to permit more accurate control of drying conditions in the immediate vicinity of the reel, it has been found desirable to enclose each drying reel 4 in a. chamber 36. As shown, chamber 36 substantially completely encloses reel 4, thus minimizing the escape of the drying medium.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the chamber 36 for each reel 4 comprises a movable closure 40 made up of the front wall and a portion of the top Wall and a cooperating stationary portion made up of a portion of the top wall, the back wall, side walls, and the bottom wall. The movable closure includes the front wall 31 mounted by means of hinges 48 on one of the side walls 39' of the chamber and the integrally formed portion 39 of the top wall 4 of the chamber. As shown, portion 39 of the top wall 4| cooperates with a stationary portion 43 forming the remainder of the top wall 4| of the chamber; i. e., the portion of the top wall associated with the stationary portion of the chamber. The movable portion 39 of the top wall 4| of the chamber extends over substantially the entire threadbear ing periphery of the reel.

When closure 40 is swung open on hinges 48, as shown in broken'lines in Figure 4, the entire unsupported end of the reel and the entireupper portion of the thread-bearing portion of the reel are accessible for operating pllrDOSeS.

A slot 42 in the top wall 4| of the chamber 36, through which the thread passes when entering the chamber, is provided atthe juncture of the movable portion 39 of the top wall 4| and the stationary portion 43 thereof. If the slot 42 is formed in the movable portion 39, it may be formed as shown in Figure 4 to prevent interference with the thread when the front wall 31 and portion 39 oi' the top wall 4| are swung open to provide access to the reel. A similar slot 44 is provided in bottom wall 45 of the chamber 36 through which slot 44 the thread may leave the chamber. As shown in the illustrated embodi-l ment of the invention, the slot 44 in the bottom wall 45 of the chamber may be partially or substantially closed by an extending member 46 carried by front wall 31 to a position under a portion of bottom wall 45.

When access is desired to the reel 4 in the chamber 36, latch 41 is operated, after which the front Wall 31 together with the top portion 39 and extending member 46 are swung back on the hinges 48, exposing the front, top and a portion of the sides of the reel. Threadingup of the reel thereafter becomes a very simple matter. The thread A is led onto the reel at the rear, is caused agences to progress along the reel during rotation thereof,

and is led off the reel at the front thereof through the slot M in the bottom wall of the chamber.

The chamber m-ay then be closed, the slot t2 eliminating any interference between the portion 39 and the thread proceeding to the reel.

As is apparent from Figures 2, 4 and 5,. each pair of immediately adjacent chambers 36 has a common side wall 38, while a plurality of adjacent chambers have other walls in common, as bottom, top, and back walls which extend longitudinally of theapparatus as a whole.

If desired, the processing mediumsupplied to each chamber 36 may be recirculated as shown in the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2. In such apparatus, the drying medium, such, for example, as heated air, 'supplied to each chamber 35 from the interior of the reel is exhausted from such chamber 36 through duct H9 which communicates with the exhaust conduit 5i) extending longitudinally' of the machine as a Whole.

The, spent drying medium then passes through reconditioning apparatus 5I, after which it passes to the supply conduit 52 likewise extending longitudinally of the apparatus as a whole. From the latter, as by means of ducts 53, the drying medium is su-pplied to the chambers 36 from the interiorsl of the reels 4 through hollow drive I shafts 8. Air or other inert gas, which may or may not be heated, may be employed as the drying medium. A humidifying medium may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

A cap twister 5, which serves as the means for collecting the thread A after it leaves the last reel may be advantageously employed, if

' desired.

In the arrangement shown, a plurality of bobbins are mounted on a lifting rail 6B which is supported by the brackets 61. Brackets 6l are designed to guide the lifting rail, each comprising guide surfaces E8 which slide on a rigidly supported guide rod 69. The lifting rail G is reciprocated vertically by flexible members such as chains 'll fastened at one end to -the lifting rail and at the other end to the sprockets 'l2 rigidly mounted on a rotatable shaft 73 extending parallel to the lifting rail.

The shaft i3 is so actuated as to cause the chains li to wind ported by brackets t1, may be provided to guide the belts 82 to the whorls 'idf A belt tightener 85 may also be supplied for each belt. To prevent the balloons formed by the threads during the operation of each twister from interfering with those of adjacent twisters, shields @t may be provided between twisters. Such shields may conveniently be connected to and 4made part of the supporting means of the chamber tt and may also supportthe thread guides El through which the thread passes on its way tothe cap twisters 5.

In the apparatus shown, the thread has an approximately straight travel from the drying reel 4 to the bobbin. Consequently,the actual twisting of the thread takes place at least as far back as the point at which the thread is discharged from the reel and perhaps even on the reel itself'within a short distance of the point at which the thread leaves the reel. In either case, the twist is introduced into the thread in the chamber 36; accordingly, the thread is` the purpose for which it is to-be used without,

thereof in a'plurality' of spaced generally helical turns; a multi-sided enclosure confining said device, including a housing having lan opening exposing the unsupported end of the thread-advancing thread stor'e device and a part of thev thread-bearing periphery extending substantially the entire length of said thread-advancing thread store device, a pivotally mounted movable closure thread passes to said thread-advancing thread store device from a point outside said enclosure,

and 'another slot through which the thread passes from saidl thread-advancing thread 'store device disposed at the juncture of said closure and said housing apposite the other end of said thread-advancing thread store device; means whereby 'an inert gas is admitted to said hous-v ing; -and means associated with said housing whereby saidinert gas is removed from said housing.

v2. Apparatus for treating thread comprising a cantilever thread-advancing thread store device which advances the thread lengthwise thereof in a plurality of spaced generally helical turns; a multi-sided enclosure confining saiddevice including a housing having an opening exposing the unsupported end' of the thread-advancing thread st ore device and a part of the threadbearing periphery extending substantially the entire length of said thread-advancing thread store device; a pivotally mountedmovable closure forming at least two sides of the enclosure cooperating with said housing to enclose said thread store device substantially entirely, a slot through which the thread passes to said thread store device being disposed at the juncture of said closure and said housing; means whereby an inert gas is admitted to said housing; andA means associated with said housing whereby said inert gas is removed from said housing.

3. Apparatus for treating thread comprising a cantilever thread-advancing thread store device which advances the thread lengthwise thereof in a plurality of spaced generally helical turns; a multi-sided enclosure conning said device including a housing having an opening exposing the unsupported end of the thread-advancing thread store device and a part of the thread-bearing periphery extending substantially the entire Y length of said thread-advancing thread store device; a pivotally mounted movable closure cooperating, when in the closed position, with said housing to enclose said thread-advancing thread store device substantially entirely, a slot through which the thread passes to said thread-advancing thread store device being disposed at the juncture of said closure and said housing apposite one end of said thread-advancing thread store device and another slot through which the thread passes from said thread-advancing thread store device being disposed at the juncture of said closure and said housing apposite theother end of said thread-advancing thread store device; and means for heating said thread-advancing thread store device. v

4. Apparatus for treating thread comprising a cantilever thread-advancing thread store device which advances the thread lengthwise thereof in a plurality of spaced generally helical turns; a housing and a pivotally mounted movable closure therefor .dening a polyhedron of at least six sides substantially entirely enclosing said threadadvancing thread store device, said closure comprising the face of the polyhedron adjacent the unsupported end of said thread-advancing thread store device and a substantial portion of at least one adjacent face of said polyhedron, whereby when said closure is opened the unsupported end of said thread-advancing thread store device and a part of the thread-bearing periphery extending substantially the entire length of said threadadvancing thread store device is exposed; means whereby an inert gas is admitted to said housing; and means associated with said housing whereby said inert gas is removed from said housing 5. Apparatus for treating thread comprising a cantilever thread-advancing thread store device which advances the thread lengthwise thereof in a plurality of spaced generally helical turns; a housing and a pivotally mounted movable closure therefor defining a polyhedron of at least six aimee sides substantially entirely enclosing said threadadvancing thread store device, said closure comprising the face of the polyhedron adjacent the unsupported end of said thread-advancing thread store device and a substantial portion of at least one adjacent face of said polyhedron, whereby when said closure is opened the unsupported end of said thread-advancing thread store device and a partof the thread-bearing periphery extending substantially the entire length `of said threadadvancing thread store device is exposed; a slot through which the thread passes to said thread store device from a point outside said housing, said slot being disposed at the juncture of said closure and said housing; means whereby an inert gas is admitted to said housing; and means associated with saidthread-advancing housing whereby said inert gas is removed from said housing.

6. Apparatus Afor treating thread comprising a cantilever thread-advancing thread store device which advances the thread lengthwise thereof in a plurality of spaced generally helical turns; a housing and a pivotally mounted movable closur(J therefore defining a polyhedron of at least six sides substantially entirely enclosing said threadadvancing thread store device, said closure comprising the face of the polyhedron adjacent the unsupported end of said thread-advancing thread store device and a substantial portion of at least one adjacent face of said polyhedron, whereby when said closure is opened the unsupported end of said thread-advancing thread store device and a part of the thread-bearing periphery extending substantially the entire length of said threadadvancing thread store device is exposed; a slot through which said thread passes to said threadadvancing thread store device from a point outside said housing, said slot being disposed at the juncture of said closure and said housing apposite one end of said thread-advancing thread store device; a second slot through which the thread passes from said thread-advancing thread store device to a point outside said housing, said second slot being disposed at the juncture of said closure and said housing apposite the other end of said thread-advancing thread store device; and means for heating said thread-advancing thread store device.

WALTER F. KNEBUSCH. ALDEN H. BURKHOLDER. 

